Scott Westerman, who earlier this year directed Citadel’s highly acclaimed production of THE CHRISTIANS, has announced his cast and production team for Citadel Theatre’s season-opener, THE MOUSETRAP. A timeless “whodunnit,” THE MOUSETRAP strands seven strangers at Monkswell Manor during a blizzard. A police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, worried that a murderer-at-large is among the guests of the Manor. Before he can investigate, one of the guests is killed, starting an investigation into the lives and histories of everyone there. One of them is the killer, and another one of them may be next. Will the police be able to solve the case before another “mouse” falls? THE MOUSETRAP is the longest-running play of all time. Except for the COVID hiatus, THE MOUSETRAP has played continuously in London’s West End since 1952. THE MOUSETRAP will open on Friday, September 15, following previews on September 13 and 14, and play through October 15, 2023.
THE MOUSETRAP’s detective, Sergeant Trotter, a role originated in 1952 by Sir Richard Attenborough, will be played by Sean Erik Wesslund. Mary Margaret McCormack and Jack Sharkey will play Mollie and Giles Ralston – proprietors of Monkswell Manor. Jesus Barajas will be Christopher Wren, the peculiar-acting young man who is first to arrive at the hotel. Kristie Berger has been cast as the hypercritical Mrs. Boyle, and William Ryder will be the retired Army Major Metcalf. Amy Stricker is playing the strangely aloof Miss Casewell, while Reginald Hemphill will be Mr. Paravicini, who appears to be affecting a foreign accent and wearing makeup to appear older.
Top row L-R: Jesus Barajas, Kristie Berger, Reginald Hemphill, Mary Margaret McCormack.
Lower row L-R: William Ryder, Jack Sharkey, Amy Stricker, Sean Erik Wesslund
Westerman’s production team for THE MOUSETRAP will be Catalina Nino (Set Design), Danielle Reinhardt (Costume Design), Brian Elston (Lighting Design), Jeff Award winner Petter Wahlbäck (Sound Design), Katie Novak (Properties Design), Megan Lorie (Dialect Coach), Jason Clark (Set Builder), Scott Phelps and Ellen Phelps (Production Managers), Jessica Greenhoe (Stage Manager), Alex Trinh (Stage Crew), and Ian Merritt (Cinematography).
Also in the ’23-’24 Citadel four-show mainstage season are the much-loved musical SHE LOVES ME, by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, songwriters of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (November 15, 2023 through December 17, 2023); Lauren Gunderson’s SILENT SKY - a drama celebrating the contributions of Henrietta Leavitt and other 19th century female astronomers who, because of their gender, were not recognized at the time for their work, (February 14 through Sunday, March 17, 2024); and the musical BABY, which explores the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of the universal experience of pregnancy and upcoming parenthood (April 17 through May 19, 2024). Season subscriptions are available for the full four-show season at $120.00 or as flex passes that can be used for the patron’s choice of three shows for $100.00 or two shows for $70.00. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale at www.citadeltheatre.org.
Citadel Theatre is in residence in the West Campus of the Lake Forest School District at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Further information and ticketing is available on the company’s website at www.citadeltheatre.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
THE MOUSETRAP
by Agatha Christie
Directed by Scott Westerman
Friday, September 15 – Sunday, October 15, 2023
(Previews September 13 and 14 @ 7:30 pm)
PRESS OPENING Friday, September 15 at 7:30 pm
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm, Saturday matinee at 2 pm on Oct. 7, Wednesday matinees at 1 pm on Sept. 20 and 27. No performances Fridays, Sept. 22 and 29.
Preview ticket prices $20. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students.
Citadel Theatre, located in the West Campus building of the Lake Forest School District, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. THE MOUSETRAP is the longest running play of all time, having played continuously in London’s West End since October 1952.
Scott Westerman (Director, THE MOUSETRAP) makes, does, and teaches theatre and film in and around Chicago. At Citadel, he has directed their 2022 production of THE CHRISTIANS and their 2018 production of SEX WITH STRANGERS by Laura Eason. Scott is the founding Artistic Director of Go To Productions, a 501©3 nonprofit which develops projects that explore the nexus between theatre and film. He created and directed the web series HAMLET & OPHELIA which won Best Picture at the New York Film Awards, Best Web Series at the LA Film Awards, and Best Mobile Series at the 2022 New Media Film Festival.
Scott has directed stage productions for The Artistic Home, ChiArts, City Lit Theatre, Chimera Theatre Company, Citadel Theatre, Beyond This Point, Barter Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, The Smithsonian Institution, American Theatre Company (Bridge), National High School Institute (Cherubs), and Reverie Theatre Company. Scott is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, an ensemble member with The Artistic Home, represented by Gray Talent Group, and a teaching artist with Writers Theatre and The Theatre School at DePaul University. He has an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre Academy. As an actor, Scott has worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Lookingglass, Northlight, The Shakespeare Theatre and Ford’s Theatre in DC, Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, the Warehouse Theatre in South Carolina, and the Barter Theatre in Virginia to name a few. On Camera credits include MACHINE GUN PREACHER, PRISON BREAK, and HEIST 88 which will premiere in 2023. More about Scott can be perused at www.ScottWesterman.org.
Agatha Christie (Playwright) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. THE MOUSETRAP is the world's longest-running play, having been performed in London’s West End since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
Scott Phelps (Artistic Director) is in his 22nd year as the Artistic Director at Citadel. He’s acted in and directed dozens of Citadel productions over the last decade and a half since founding this North Shore theatre in 2002 with his friend and lifelong companion, Ellen. Earlier in 2023, he starred in the leading role of Pastor Paul in THE CHRISTIANS. He has acted/directed in NYC, and in his home state of California, trained as an actor at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA, received his BFA from the University of Utah, and did an apprenticeship at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in KY. For 18 years Scott worked for a promotional company and raised his three daughters and his son in Lake Forest. Recently he has been taking on the next chapter of his life — the role of “Beepa” to his grandchildren. Although he is unsure if he is old enough to play that part, he’s been enjoying the challenge.
Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for nearly 22 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to donate, please visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.